Eddie Johnson

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio) to have as much time as he may consume to speak on this issue.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to Mr. Lipinski from Illinois.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON. Mr. Speaker, I now yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Holt).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 366, expressing the sense of Congress that increasing American capabilities in science, math and technology education should be a national priority. Our Nation's youth are key to our Nation's future prosperity. And I have schools in my district that are ranking very high; 1, 2, 3 and 4. They've been 1 and 2 and now they're 2 and 4. That's called the Townview Gifted and Talented school, ranked second in the Nation; was considered the best public school last year in the nation. And the Science and Engineer Magnet was ranked fourth this year, and it was number 2 last year by Newsweek magazine. Townview's School of Talented and Gifted was always ranked among the best high schools in America, and this year, by the U.S. News and World Report. In support from the high tech industry such as Texas Instruments in Dallas, as well as other local generous investors which have been critical to setting up the schools for the students' success. Unfortunately, few schools demonstrate the educational excellence of Townview, not even any more in Dallas. Congress must incentivize investments at the local level to help improve the quality of public education. The UTeach Program, which started in Texas and headquartered at the University of Texas in Austin, is a terrific education program that places engaged, highly trained teachers in the classroom. These educators, in turn, inspire their students. Young people are learning that math and science are fun. They're learning that these subjects are important, and that they can lead to fulfilling and profitable careers. UTeach is funded partially by generous investments from the private sector which needs these people for future employment. So we consider it an investment for them. UTeach has tracked the success of its educational model, and it is transforming the quality of math and science education in schools that it touches. Demonstrated methods of success must be supported and expanded, and this is critical for our Nation. Tomorrow's high-tech jobs will require a skilled workforce. Today's students are not being adequately prepared for these jobs, and it is my fear that businesses will increasingly look toward China, Taiwan, Japan and India for their workforce needs. Those nations are investing a greater percentage of their gross national product on the education of scientists, mathematicians and engineers. They're producing a large workforce of bright, young, talented individuals who work for less money than our citizens will. American companies are already hiring them. And the only solution is to produce a better prepared work force. The root of that preparation is education. And it is too serious and too important not to give the utmost attention. Mr. Speaker, I wish that every school could get the support and perform as well as Townview does. But my resolution expresses a sense of Congress that we must make education a much higher national priority. A couple of years ago there was a publication by the National Academies of Science and Medicine and the National Science Foundation entitled the Rising Tide Before the Gathering Storm. Well, the gathering storm of international competition is already here, and so we must reform our public education policies, provide greater challenges to our students and give young people the tools and opportunities that they need to succeed. Our economy in this country depends on this; and we start with well-prepared teachers. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on House Concurrent Resolution 366 now under consideration.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. We reserve the balance.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I move the passage of this resolution. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Madam Speaker, H.R. 5599 is a bill to designate the Federal building in Suitland, Maryland, as the Thomas Jefferson Census Bureau Headquarters Building. The bill has bipartisan support. Although Thomas Jefferson is best remembered as the third President of the United States, as the author of the Declaration of Independence, he also is considered by some to be the first director of the U.S. census. In 1790, while Secretary of State, Jefferson conducted the first national census. Although the practice of performing a census has been in practice for thousands of years, the U.S. census in considered to be the first modern periodic census. Several European countries followed suit shortly after in the early 19th century. Today, the results of the census are used to determine the size of congressional districts, the allocation of seats allotted to each State in the U.S. House of Representatives, as a factor in the allocation of Federal resources, and perhaps most importantly as a research tool to track economic and population trends in the United States. It is most fitting and proper that we support this designation and honor one of Jefferson's numerous contributions to our Nation's history. I support H.R. 5599. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous materials on H.R. 5599.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5599) to designate the Federal building located at 4600 Silver Hill Road in Suitland, Maryland, as the ``Thomas Jefferson Census Bureau Headquarters Building''.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move that we support this resolution for a very deserving family. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I urge support of this resolution, and I yield back the balance of our time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to Representative Diane Watson of California.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 335) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Mrs. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Mrs. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I would like to close, Madam Speaker, by simply saying that this resolution was a resolution to allow the International Soap Box Derby, an organization that's a nonprofit based in Akron, Ohio, to use the Capitol Grounds, and I fully support that. I want to call attention to one thing. In January of 2001, the month that this current President took office, gas was $1.47 a gallon. Today, the national average is $3.81, and I just want that for the record, with all the other comments that have been made on this particular bill for the Soap Box Derby. I urge the passage of the permission to allow the Soap Box Derby to use our Capitol Grounds.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, how much time do we have left?

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the majority leader, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 311 authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for the annual Soap Box Derby. As all Members are aware, this is an annual event held here on Capitol Hill. Activities planned for this event will be coordinated with the Office of the Architect of the Capitol and, like all events on Capitol Hill grounds, will be free and open to the public. The 2008 Greater Washington Soap Box Derby will take place on Constitution Avenue between Delaware Avenue and Third Streets, Northwest, on June 22. The Greater Washington Soap Box Derby has been held on the U.S. Capitol Grounds since 1991 and has attracted over 60 youth participants in each of those years. In 2007, for the first time in the 66 year history of the D.C. Soap Box Derby, a local participant won the Masters title in the national competition in Akron, Ohio. The All-American Derby Youth Program is administered by the International Soap Box Derby, Incorporated, an Akron-based nonprofit corporation. This is a family-oriented event and is supported by hundreds of parents and volunteers. I urge support for the resolution. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 311) authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby.

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize our former Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige, on the occasion of the naming of an elementary school in Houston, Texas in his honor. This is certainly a well-deserved honor for Dr. Paige given his years of dedication to educational excellence, and I hope that the dedication will impact a whole new generation of students who may be inspired by all that Dr. Paige has accomplished throughout his career. On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Roderick Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Dr. Paige, the son of a principal and a librarian in public schools, that day was the crowning achievement of a long career in education. Born in 1933 in segregated Monticello, Mississippi, Dr. Paige's accomplishments speak of his commitment to education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University in his home state, and went on to earn both a master's and a doctoral degree from Indiana University. Dr. Paige began working with students early in his career as a teacher and a coach. He then went on to serve as Dean of College of Education at Texas Southern University (TSU) for a decade. In this position Dr. Paige worked to ensure that future educators would receive the training and expertise necessary to succeed in the classroom. In 1989, Dr. Paige was sworn in as a trustee and an officer of the Board of Education of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), in which capacities he served until 1994 when he became superintendent of HISD, the nation's seventh largest school district. Dr. Paige served as the first African-American Secretary of Education from 2001-2005. During his tenure, Dr. Paige continued his mission to set new standards of educational achievement for all students. Today, Dr. Paige is the Chairman of Chartwell Education Group, an organization he co-founded to improve the quality of education for our nation's school children. The Roderick Paige Elementary School will be formally dedicated on Friday, May 23, 2008. Dr. Paige's impact on students in Houston and throughout this country will he felt for years to come. I congratulate Dr. Paige on this occasion. This is a fitting honor, and I can think of no greater individual to bestow it upon.